Miley Cyrus admits that her wholesome past as Hannah Montana is a source of embarrassment as she begins a new chapter in her life.

The 20-year-old singer had a radical image makeover following the release of raunchy single Can’t Be Tamed in 2010 – but even that transition makes the star cringe as she transforms from clean-living teen to edgy adult with a new haircut and a harder, hip-hop infused musical bent.

Speaking to Billboard, Miley admits the long shadow cast by Hannah Montana and the records spawned by that part of her life are a constant source of irritation as she attempts to establish herself as a credible artist.

Edgy: Miley Cyrus shows off her new look (WENN)

“Right now, when people go to iTunes and listen to my old music, it’s so irritating to me because I can’t just erase that stuff and start over,” she said. “My last record I feel so disconnected from – I was 16 or 17 when I made it. When you’re in your 20’s, you just don’t really know that person anymore.”

She adds: “ I want to start as a new artist. I consider my upcoming album my first, really.”

Miley revealed that new single We Can’t Stop was inspired by a wild night out with a group of pals.

“I’m 20-years-old and I want to talk to the people that are up all night with their friends,” she said. “It’s based on a true story of a crazy night I had: When I heard the song for the first time, it captured exactly what I was living.”

Wild: Miley wants to turn her back on her wholesome Hannah Montana days of old (WENN)

The singer also touched on critical appraisals of the music on her new album – and what she regards as innacurate comparisons with a certain rapper.

“A lot of people wanted to try to make me the white Nicki Minaj,” she said. “That’s not what I’m trying to do. I love ‘hood’ music, but my talent is as a singer.”

With the long-player expected to drop later this year, Miley admits she made a lot of sacrifices in order to create the best music of her career.

“I want my record to be the biggest record in the world, and I’ve given everything to get here, even down to friends and family and relationships – I’ve just put this music first,” she said. “That’s been kind of a trip: It’s not like I’m losing who I am – I actually found out more about who I am by making this music.

“I’m going on a journey, and that’s more than a lot of 20-year-old’s can say. And I’m still going to change so much. Because I’m not the same person I was six months ago – I’m not even the same person I was two weeks ago.”